IT is the radio station run by volunteers that embraces Southampton’s diverse community spirit.

The Awaaz FM community radio station has returned this week, adding more of the city’s cultures and nationalities to its roster.

The station, which broadcasts from offices in Cranbery Road, gives Southampton communities a voice through shows covering a range of topics every week.

This year’s programme includes a show dedicated to the city’s north Pakistan and Kashmiri communities, a European breakfast show, an hour dedicated to Pashtun-speaking people, and a no-holds-barred late show hosted by former students.

Project manager Ali Beg said the station is on the lookout for more volunteers to take part and help it reach out to more communities.

He said: “We will tackle topics like immigration and Islamophobia – it’s a real mixed bag. This shows how important it is for communities to get together in Southampton.

“Many of us are third and fourth generation now from those that came here at the beginning and it’s important to know how both cultures are passed on. We are hoping to get more community involvement.

"We have got volunteers from Romania, Hungary, India, Pakistan, and even British youngsters taking part.”

Mr Beg is also putting together a tribute show for Del Singh – the popular Southampton politician and humanitarian killed in a terrorist attack in Afghanistan earlier this year.

He added: “It’s for the rest of the community to know that he was a really good role model we should be following.”

The station has been nominated for the community organisation award for race, faith and religion at the National Diversity Awards.

Visit nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/nominate to cast your vote.